Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — The Roanoke Rapids Police Department has been cleared of any wrongdoing in an April incident in which officers used a Taser on a 15-year-old boy with autism.

The Halifax County District Attorney’s Office determined the officers acted appropriately when they encountered the teen, Javonte “Jay” Gorham, as they searched his home April 5 while looking for his 23-year-old brother, Jamonte Gorham.

The boys’ mother, Nancy Gorham, said she answered the door and told the officers that Jamonte wasn’t home.

She said the officer responded by saying, “You people got a tendency of lying.”

Gorham said she gave police permission to search the home. She said Jay was sleeping when officers entered his room. She walked in to find him face down on the bed, getting shocked with a stun gun.

She said she told the officers that her son has autism and yelled, “He don't know what you're doing to him, doesn't understand nothing you're doing.”

She said Jay wasn’t combative or talking back to the officers. The incident left Jay with scrapes and burns from the stun gun.

Roanoke Rapids City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said the officers “absolutely did not know it at the time” that Jay has autism. Police said Jay was aggressive.

“The person partially stood up and pushed one of the officers,” Chichester said. “It is my understanding that the officers, the Roanoke Rapids police officers that were involved in this, acted appropriately according to all the guidelines.”

Gorham said she has hired an attorney and intends to sue the city.

Javonte Gorham was taken into custody briefly and released. Police later found Jamonte Gorham and arrested him.

ngorham74Jun 24, 2014

I wouldn't never harm my child...... The police was wrong

Doseofreality88Jun 23, 2014

I see the mother is at fault because she allowed the cops in her home. If this had happened and she refused entrance the same people would be saying "She must of been hiding something if she wouldn't allow them to enter her home." No matter what she would of been at fault. These cops are disgusting. They probably lied and said he acted aggressively because they are usually on a power trip. The whole "You people always lie" ...seriously? let me guess it wasn't a racist statement...*eye roll*

JustOneGodLessThanUJun 23, 2014

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The "officers" should have been put in jail for the rest of their natural lives, Period. More criminal cops encouraged to abuse/kill again by the corrupt "Just-us" system. Sick.

— Posted by WRAL_USER

The mother gave police permission to search the home.

If you had a child who you knew had special needs and who "didn't understand things"...and the police came to your house looking for someone to arrest, would you have just let these fully-armed, adrenaline-pumped police surprise him in his sleep...in his own bedroom? "Surprise, son! Wake up!"

WRAL_USERJun 20, 2014

The "officers" should have been put in jail for the rest of their natural lives, Period. More criminal cops encouraged to abuse/kill again by the corrupt "Just-us" system. Sick.

JustOneGodLessThanUJun 20, 2014

Why didn't the mother wake the boy and explain that "cops are here, relax, don't worry, I'll hold your hand"...or just remove him from the house? ...since she seemed to know that he wouldn't understand what was going on.

This incident (and probably the incident regarding her other child) is on the mother.

Cheree TeasleyJun 20, 2014

A person with autism who doesn't know the people around them will not hesistate to "push" anyone. IT was harmless, and had the officers known he was autistic they may have not shown that level of force. But to them it was a very tall teenager who was pushing them, and perhaps they were there to arrest a family member. They acted in the interest of their safety. Still, I feel very bad for that boy. He could not have possibly understood what was happpening or why. That shot must have been PAINFUL! And, there's no telling how long that tramatic event will effect him. I feel awful for him!

disgusted2010Jun 20, 2014

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"I'm not saying there are not bad LEO's....but they are not the majority."

Do me a favor. Go to Youtube and search for police brutality videos. Watch the "good cops" stop the bad cops beating people while in handcuffs. Wait they dont. Watch the "good cops" stop the bad cops from violating right after right at police encounters. Let me know what you find. Good luck!

— Posted by Brian Jenkins

Hate much?

CenturianJun 20, 2014

It was not the fault of the officers nor was it the fault of the autistic teenager. The abundant blame lies with the mother who consented for police to search the home for a wanted offender while her autistic son (brother of the suspect) was asleep in a bedroom. She was tremendously irresponsible.

Bogged DownJun 20, 2014

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While I doubt his autism is as severe as the mom lets on (though I don't know), my gut still tells me that the police version of this story is far from accurate (and again, I don't know). My gut tells me that he didn't give them the "respect" they wanted, fast enough, so they adjusted his attitude a bit.

"if you encounter police in what you believe to be in a negative light, simply be polite, go with the flow and file your complaint through the appropriate channels later" - 88zooloo

If YOU are their target, going "with the flow" might put you in the slammer forever. The situation matters as to who much or how little you should talk to police.

ALL interactions between cops and citizens needs to be recorded for the protection of the cops, and the public. Cheap, easy technology.

— Posted by Lightfoot3

You have rights so long as the police let you have those rights. It's all spelled out in the Constitution! I know all you police-hating LIBERALS will have a problem with this, but that's the way it is. Deal with it.

68_dodge_polaraJun 20, 2014

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Folks, let's face reality. The cops have the right to taze anyone they want. They just tend to prefer tazing black people. And, had these people not been black they would have had nothing to fear. This whole situation could have been averted had the Gorham just chosen to be white. They chose this lifestyle so it's pretty much on them. Cops need respect, and that is why they demand it. I mean, why would they lie about what went on in the house? Cops NEVER lie. Can anyone think of even ONE example where a cop has lied????

— Posted by Bogged Down

You should become a cop, I sobering dose of reality would do you some good.